6 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

Hippodrome and ObelisksThe monuments in this open square mark part of the former chariot-racing ground. Hear how the Hippodrome served as a gathering place in Byzantine Constantinople.

Blue MosqueVisit the Ottoman mosque known for its blue tile decoration and six minarets. Modest dress is required, and shoes are removed at the entrance.

Hagia SophiaLook at the building's great dome and the details left by its different periods of use. Your guide introduces its history as both a church and a mosque.

Grand BazaarWalk into the covered market at the end of the morning tour. Browse the shops in your own time; on Sundays, the closed bazaar is replaced by another shopping stop.

Devrent ValleySee the naturally shaped rocks that give Devrent its familiar animal-like outlines. Look for the camel formation among the valley's other unusual shapes.

Pasabag Open Air MuseumExplore the area around Pasabag's capped fairy chimneys. Some of these tall rock formations contain chambers once used by monks.

Goreme Panoramic ViewPause above Goreme to see the settlement among its surrounding rock valleys. The view gives a wider picture of the landscape visited during the day.

Lunch on the northern Cappadocia routeStop for the restaurant meal included in the Red Tour. Drinks with lunch are paid for separately.

Avanos Pottery WorkshopWatch a potter work clay on a wheel in Avanos. The demonstration introduces a local craft tradition; buying pottery is optional and costs extra.

Zelve Open Air MuseumWalk through parts of an old settlement cut into the rock. The surviving homes and religious spaces show how people used the valley walls as buildings.

Uchisar Castle exteriorSee Uchisar's high rock citadel from an outside viewpoint. This stop is for the exterior view and does not include climbing inside the castle.

Rose ValleyView the pale pink ridges and rock-cut spaces of Rose Valley. This is one of the valley landscapes covered on the southern circuit.

Underground CityFollow the guide into a settlement built below ground. Rooms and connecting passages reveal how people stored supplies and used the space for shelter; some tunnels are low and narrow.

Pigeon ValleyStop to look across the valley and spot pigeon houses cut into the cliffs. These small openings were part of the area's farming life.

Lunch within the Yellow TourAn included restaurant lunch breaks up the day's valley and village visits. Drinks are charged separately.

Gulludere ValleyJoin the optional valley walk, which can take up to 2 hours. The route passes rock formations and carved spaces; you may wait with the vehicle if you prefer to skip the walk.

Cavusin VillageSee the older rock-cut part of Cavusin and the remains of its cave houses. The stop introduces a village shaped around the slopes and surrounding valleys.

Ephesus Ancient CityWalk through the ancient city with your guide, passing streets, public buildings and the Celsus Library. The large theatre is another reminder of the scale of Roman Ephesus.

House of Virgin MaryVisit the small stone shrine in the hills near Ephesus. It is linked to Mary by Christian tradition and receives pilgrims as well as other visitors.

Lunch during the Ephesus dayA restaurant lunch is included between the visits in the Ephesus area. Allow separately for any drinks you order.

Temple of ArtemisView the site of the great temple once counted among the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Little remains above ground, so the guide explains the sanctuary's former scale.

Pamukkale TravertinesView the white terraces left by mineral-bearing spring water. Walk only on the permitted section and remove your shoes where required to protect the surface.

Hierapolis Ancient CityVisit the remains of the ancient town above Pamukkale's terraces. Its streets and monuments developed beside the thermal springs that drew people to the area.

Lunch on the final sightseeing dayHave the included restaurant lunch as part of the Pamukkale visit. Drinks are an extra expense before the afternoon airport journey.

Cleopatra Antique PoolSee the warm pool with its submerged ancient columns at no charge for viewing. Swimming is optional, and the separate swimming fee is paid at the site.